UW Health Named Among 2014 "Most Wired"

Madison, Wisconsin - UW Health has been recognized again as one of the nation’s Most Wired hospitals, according to the results of the 2014 Most Wired Survey, released July 9, in Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

Most Wired hospitals are leaders in embracing health information technologies and – most important – in bringing its benefits to patients and their families.

"We are thrilled that UW Health has been recognized yet again for our investment in and use of information technology to support our mission," says Jocelyn DeWitt, UW Health Vice President and Chief Information Officer.

"The collaboration between our information technology team and the clinicians, researchers and educators has resulted in higher quality care for our patients, substantial data for our researchers, and an environment for teaching and learning that prepares our students for the real world of clinical care and research."

UW Health was one of only 20 hospitals recognized as Most Wired Advanced because the organization has met the following criteria in the Most Wired survey:

Stronger security systems and faster disaster recovery

Adoption of electronic systems and tools to improve business processes, clinical quality and patient safety

Use of evidence-based electronic order sets and plan of care and standardized care transition process

Automated review of CMS key indicators with compliance alerts

Telehealth offerings, and online chronic disease management for patients at home

Use of electronic disease registries and manage care transitions electronically

As the nation's health care system transitions to more integrated and patient- and family-centered care, hospitals are using information technology to help improve quality and increase patient safety while reducing cost of care, according to the 16th annual Health Care's Most Wired Survey.

For instance, 69 percent of Most Wired hospitals use information technology tools for analysis of clinical and administrative data to identify areas for improving the quality of care and reducing the cost of care delivered. Most Wired hospitals, those that meet a set of rigorous criteria across four operational categories, have made tremendous gains by using IT to reduce the likelihood of medical errors. Among 90 percent of Most Wired hospitals, nurses, physicians, and other care providers share best practices for patient safety and use checklists.

The award recognizes hospitals that demonstrate widespread adoption of health information technology (IT) across four areas: